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Fantasy Football: Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickup Power Rankings

RotoExperts Staff September 21, 2015 12:22AM EST

Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickup Power Rankings

FNTSY Sports Network’s Pat Mayo talks with Dr. Victor Khabie and Jake Ciely about every significant injury from Sunday, and unleashes his Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickup Power Rankings for every position. Plus, the streaming QBs and DSTs of the week.

*Week 3 Waiver Wire Power Rankings | All Players less than 60-percent owned*

David Johnson, TAKE A HIKE, PALLLLLL!!!!! The new king of the Week 3 Waiver Wire Pick up POWER RANKS is James Starks. Poor Eddie Lacy, and you, the Eddie Lacy owner; ankles aren’t supposed to turn that way. Obviously, I’ll update after his MRI, once we get more concrete info, but INSTANT REACTIONS have Lacy avoiding the dreaded high ankle sprain (which would start at missing at least 4 weeks). That’s the shred good news. Still looks like Lacy will miss time however. Appears to be at least a week, but probably slightly more. For Starks, it’s simple, you want the lead back in Green Bay. Don’t overthink it. With a full complement of touches, Starks will be a solid RB2 while Lacy is sidelined. Hopefully, we’ll have more info by the time the Week 3 waiver wire deadline hits. When the injury timetable is released, increase your FAAB bid by the severity of the injury. The longer Lacy misses, the more you bid. [Update: Ian Rapaport reporting there’s a chance Lacy could play Monday night. Wouldn’t be depending on that. Starks is still worth grabbing, in case the injury still turns out to be more serious, but don’t pay a premium for his services]

Oh hai, Dion Lewis. Lewis monopolized the work in Patriots’ backfield, playing 70 of 84 offensive snaps, piling up 138 total yards (7 carries; 6 receptions). For comparison, LeGarrette Blount only snuck his way on to the field for 7 snaps. I want to believe in Lewis as an every week starter, I really do, but I refuse to be duped by those dastardly Belitricks again. I still wager the volume allotted to the lead RB in the New England backfield will be dictated by game-flow. Eventually, the Pats are going to start running more, and with James White’s deactivation, Blount remains the likeliest candidate to see the majority of the work between the tackles. Still, Lewis seems to have locked down the “Kevin Faulk/Danny Woodhead/Shane Vereen role,” which is definitely worth rostering with this offense’s firepower. And, strangely enough, among this crop of potential RB adds, Lewis may actually be the best full-season option of the group. Where the other available RBs are either handcuffs, battling in a time-share, or dealing with a limited shelf life, Lewis has every week viability as a low-end RB2/FLEX option in PPR leagues, ideally, a bench RB to plug in for bye weeks and injuries. Just don’t expect consistent production; It’s still the New England backfield. Also, Blount is likely going to be dropped in a lot of leagues. If I was weak at RB, I’d pick him up after he clears waivers, and see if his role expands.

Matt JONESSSSSSS!!!!!! Unfortunately, even though he’s the non-coked out Matt Jones, he won’t be worth what you’ll have to pay in FAAB bucks. First waiver wire priority? Sure, worth burning after Starks, but I wouldn’t go shelling out a significant amount of FAAB for him. Unless you’re convinced Washington is going to be playing from ahead and pounding the ball with impunity every week, that is. And, outside of DC homers, I doubt anyone is that diluted. Did he look better than Alfred Morris? Absolutely. But, just because he out touched ALF this week, doesn’t mean that’s the new norm. Don’t take this as an indictment against him, I’d love to have him on my squad, but I don’t wanna pay huge for an RB I wouldn’t feel comfortable starting next week. If I can get him at stash prices, I’m taking him. That’s just not the way it’s going to be, though.

There’s a very similar situation brewing in Arizona. On the whole, David Johnson is the RB I want to own; however Chris Johnson is the better add if you need an RB to play now. At least until Andre Ellington returns in a few weeks. Right now, David Johnson is nothing more than a stash, an appreciating asset – a bench player. I’m aware he’s currently scoring on over 40% of his career touches, and yes, that’s a GREAT PACE, but we all know this isn’t sustainable. I’d take a medium pace if it meant an increase in his volume. But that simply doesn’t look like it’s going to happen any time soon. David was out carried by Chris Johnson 5-to-1 against the Bears, after only seeing one touch (in garbage time) Week 1. Relying on players that require a GIANT PLAY to have a viable Fantasy day is a losing strategy. Like Jones, David Johnson’s talent gives him a path to the starting gig, but that time isn’t now. If you want to grab him off the wire, you have to understand the commodity you’re acquiring, or you’re going to get ripped off.

Lamar Miller rolled his ankle against the Jags and didn’t return. Damien Williams would be the pick up in Miller’s place, but the injury isn’t considered serious (Didn’t require an MRI). Just to be safe, let’s transport ourselves to a future where Miller misses next week. With the Dolphins drawing the Bills – not exactly a primo match up – Williams would be nothing more than a fringe FLEX in PPR formats, at best. Pass.

Thanks for the Week 2 win, DeAngelo Williams. Now get your ass back to handcuff hell. The Steelers get to what they want to do, in Le’Veon color.

Chris Polk established himself as the non-Arian Foster Texans RB to play if you’re truly desperate. Foster returned to practice last week and is getting closer to the field every day. If you need a plug-and-play for Week 3, and Foster is still out, he’ll be a capable body against the Bucs.

Tevin Coleman was carted off with a rib injury, and DeVonta Freeman assumed the starting role in Atlanta. The good news: He got 12 carries, caught 4 passes (on 8 targets) and got into the end zone. Bad news: He averaged a shade over 2-yards per carry. No word yet on the extent of Coleman’s injury, but, if he misses time, Freeman would be a priority add for anyone who needs a filler RB to tide them over until a better option presents itself. He’d become the homeless man’s James Starks from this week’s available players. Don’t go crazy spending on him, especially not knowing the extent of Coleman’s injury. [Update: Coleman will miss a few weeks few a fractured rib. I’m moving Freeman ahead of Chris Johnson in the rankings. Since an injury to Coleman doesn’t upgrade Freeman’s skill level, only his opportunity it may be worth stashing Terron Ward in deeper leagues.]

No, I’m not concerned about Jeremy Hill getting benched. In fact, I’m trying to buy low as we speak.

Another week, another 6 targets and a TD for Stevie Johnson. He’s a quality WR3/bench guy, and he’s the blue ribbon receiver pick up this week. It’s a deep, but ultimately unmoving group. If Johnson is going to be too rich for your blood, the always underrated Malcom Floyd is a solid pick up in standard formats because of his vertical prowess.

Don’t go crazy trying to add Travis Benjamin. I like his big play ability, and the fact he makes JOHHHNNNNNYYYYYYYYYY look vaguely like an NFL QB, but the Browns simply don’t throw enough to make me trust him. Through two games, Sir Jonathan Football and Josh McCown have combined to attempt 47 passes. Tom Brady threw 59 times against the Bills. He’ll have more value in standard over PPR leagues, and his ability to score in the return game is a nice side bonus, but there are going to be weeks where his numbers evaporate. Consider this: Benjamin was only on the field for 23 of CLE’s 49 offensive snaps, and only 9 were passing plays. Worth a small bid to see if you can nab him, but don’t break the bank.

It’s much the same for Leonard Hankerson. Worth grabbing in deeper leagues for cheap, if you can, but Roddy White is going to be far more involved in the coming weeks.

For consistency purposes, I like Rishard Matthews. Although Kenny Stills, Old Greg Jennings, or Davante Parker were all considered better options entering the season, it’s Matthews who has morphed into the Dolphins WR2. I’m shocked too. He’s much in the Stevie Johnson mold, though. A high floor, low ceiling WR that’s better suited for deeper leagues. A guy you can start as a WR3/FLEX every week if you wanted, but is best suited for spot duty. I still feel like Parker will eventually develop into a star, but it appears like it won’t happen soon.

Since the Texans are always losing, both Cecil Shorts III and Nate Washington keep getting peppered with targets. After two weeks, Shorts has amassed 20 looks, Washington 19 – opportunity matters. Since their aDOTs are so far apart I’ve created a Lenny/Carl-esque way of remembering which one you want: Shorts = PPR; Washington = Standard.

Speaking of targets, Ted Ginn Jr. gets lots. Now, if he could only catch more of them. But after skimming at his list of accomplishments, it’s easy to see how he never made it a priority.

Turns out, Eric Ebronmay actually be awesome. Two games, two scores; with a total of 9 catches on 15 targets. If you’re looking for safer at the position, Kyle Rudolph is your guy, but Ebron oozes upside with his elite skill/size combo. I prefer that on my team.

The only question mark next to Ladarius Green? (Besides that one). How much will Antonio Gates affect his production once he returns? Frankly, I don’t care. I’m adding him for the next two weeks and figuring it out then.

Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups: Streaming Quarterbacks

Tony Romo’s finished for the foreseeable future after fracturing his left clavicle. He’ll undergo surgery and hopefully return by early November, but there’s no guarantee. Brandon Weeden is the assumed starter for the moment, unless Dallas decides to bring someone else in. Anyone have Kyle Ortonor Jon Kitna’s numbers?Anyone?

I just thought Jay Cutler was taking a quick cig break, but he apparently he suffered a hamstring problem, despite everything looking like a shoulder injury. Not sure if he’ll play or not in Seattle this week, but I can assure you, you want no part of Jimmy Clausen, aka The Clausomy Bag.

Stream wise, Tyrod Taylor looks to be the best option against the Dolphins. In fact, since many of you are going to be looking filler QB with all the injuries (Romo, Cutler, Bress), Taylor can be a multi-week plug. He gets favorable matchups against the Dolphins, Giants and Titans the next three weeks…Blake Bortles could be useful as a garbage time stat accumulator in New England… Although it wasn’t pretty, Ryan Mallett posted 17 Fantasy points against a tough (albeit without Luke Kuechly) Panthers defense. If Arian Foster remains sidelined, Mallett could post useable numbers again, through attrition. He put the ball up 58 times in Carolina, and Tampa has no one to keep up with DeAndre Hopkins. That’s assuming Mallett’s still the starter next week. Something which shouldn’t be assumed… If Derek Carr can carve up the Ravens, there’s no reason “GINGERVITUS” Andy Dalton can’t do the same. But then you’re starting Andy Dalton, and that’s never ideal.

Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups: Stream Defense/Special Teams

NE vs JAX

CLE vs OAK

NYG vs WAS

PIT at STL

IND at TEN

OAK at CLE

Not a bulk of quality streaming options available on the wire. There’s a chance New England DST is out there, but probably not in competitive leagues. If you’re lucky, and someone dropped them before the Bills game, that’s the top choice… Browns DST should do a better job of making Derek Carr look more like Derek Carr at home… The Giants DST is a real gamble, but Thursday night DSTs generally post points. You may have to close your eyes and shove them in if you’re out of options… That, or go with Steelers DST. Pittsburgh’s pass defense is abysmal, yet have looked surprisingly solid against the run. And when you have to make Nick Foles beat you through the air, Fantasy points will follow. I don’t feel great about it, but they’re certainly available.

Popular Features

With the Combine only a couple of weeks away, now seems like a good time to start evaluating not just who to target in dynasty rookie drafts, but where those targets may go in your league. I got together with Davis Mattek (@DavisMattek) to do a first round rookie mock draft. Our objective in this…

RotoExperts’ Davis Mattek Gives Pre-Combine Dynasty Fantasy Football Rankings As part of the all-inclusive NFL365 package on Roto Experts, myself and Anthony Amico will be bringing you consistently updated dynasty fantasy football rankings. This first released version does not yet encapsulate rookies or the bearings of free agency but is a good masthead for how to…

2019 NFL Combine Betting The NFL combine will begin to convene in Indianapolis on February 26th, 2019 and you best believe 2019 NFL Combine Betting will be analyzed. More than 300 prospects from the SEC, ACC, Big 12, Big 10, PAC-12 and the other college athletic conferences will descend to do their 2019 NFL Combine athletic…

The NFL Draft Statistics Matter That Most for Tight End Prospects In the previous article, I went through some key statistics for NFL Draft running back prospects. The series continues here, as I dive into the tight end position. I’ve done a bunch of regression-tree analysis on draft prospects. Using statistical software, we can see…

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What NFL Draft Statistics Matter Most for Running Back Prospects? In the first article in this series, I went through some key statistics for wide receiver prospects. The series continues here, as I dive into the running back position. I’ve done a bunch of regression-tree analysis on draft prospects. Using statistical software, we can see…

Andy Isabella NFL Draft Profile If I would have been told that I would have been jumping to write the prospect profile for a 5-10, 190 lb slot wide receiver four years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it. When analytics was really hitting the fantasy football community, one of the first things we learned was…